intellectual properties Archives

AppWizard

November 21, 2025

Fortnite outdoes itself once again: the next chapter features an unfilmed scene from Kill Bill, announced by Quentin Tarantino

Fortnite will feature an unfilmed scene from Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill series in its upcoming Chapter 7, coinciding with the theatrical re-release of Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair on November 19, 2025. This re-release will also include a new anime sequence and has a runtime of four hours and 51 minutes, with a 15-minute intermission, set to hit theaters on December 5. Tarantino has expressed interest in a potential Volume Three of Kill Bill, exploring the lives of The Bride and her daughter, B.B. Kiddo, two decades after the original films. Fortnite has collaborated with various franchises, including The Simpsons, Star Wars, and Mortal Kombat, and Chapter 7 is scheduled to launch on November 30.

AppWizard

November 17, 2025

The Game of the Year nominees have arrived, with 12 nominations for the RPG you’re all rooting for

The nominees for this year's Game of the Year include Clair Obscur Expedition 33, Hades 2, Hollow Knight: Silksong, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, and Donkey Kong Bananza. Clair Obscur Expedition 33 has received 12 nominations across all categories, including three for voice performances. Notable omissions from the nominations are Ghost of Yotei, Battlefield 6, Arc Raiders, and Split Fiction. Battlefield 6 has received nominations in best audio design, best action game, and best multiplayer categories, while Arc Raiders is recognized in the multiplayer category. In the Games for Impact category, indie titles Despelote and Consume Me have been acknowledged. The Game of the Year website is now live for voting.

AppWizard

November 17, 2025

PlayStation May ‘Pull Back’ on Massive Games Releasing on PC—What Does This Mean?

PlayStation is reportedly reconsidering its strategy regarding the release of major titles on PC, potentially tightening exclusivity for future game releases. This shift may be influenced by the resurgence of Valve's Steam Machine, which targets the console market and has increased the popularity of the Steam Deck. Speculation suggests that Sony may keep first-party games exclusive to its consoles, similar to Nintendo's approach, which encourages investment in their hardware. PlayStation has historically delayed PC ports of its titles, such as God of War and Marvel's Spider-Man, while Microsoft favors simultaneous releases on consoles and PCs.

AppWizard

November 14, 2025

As Krafton evolves into an ‘AI-first company’, the boss of the recently acquired Last Epoch studio says he doesn’t think the ‘doom and gloom’ is warranted

Krafton has announced its intention to become an "AI-first company" with an investment of over 130 billion won. The company has implemented a hiring freeze and a voluntary resignation program for its South Korean workforce. Krafton acquired Eleventh Hour Games (EHG), the studio behind Last Epoch, in July. EHG has maintained a commitment to providing players with free content since its Kickstarter launch in 2018, but recent communications suggest that the pricing for upcoming expansions is uncertain. EHG co-founder Cobler outlined limited options during the acquisition process, including pursuing other intellectual properties, seeking unfavorable funding, joining Krafton, or facing bankruptcy. Cobler expressed optimism about the acquisition's long-term benefits, despite skepticism from others. There is currently no evidence that Last Epoch is declining, but Krafton's strategic decisions may impact the studio. EHG recently launched its third season and plans additional content leading up to an expansion.

AppWizard

November 10, 2025

Square Enix making layoffs in UK and US businesses

Square Enix has announced layoffs in its UK and US operations as part of a restructuring initiative to reorganize its overseas business. The company is shifting focus to consolidate operations within Japan and will implement a "globally integrated" approach to managing intellectual properties (IPs), with overseas studios no longer responsible for this. As part of this transition, Square Enix has sold its Western studios—Crystal Dynamics, Eidos Montreal, and Square Enix Montreal—to Embracer Group. Employees in the US and UK have been informed of impending redundancies, and a company representative expressed gratitude to those affected while emphasizing the difficulty of the decision, which was made after careful consideration. Square Enix is committed to supporting departing team members during this transition.

AppWizard

November 5, 2025

Obsidian knows we want “the next Fallout New Vegas,” but it’s finding more “joy” in original creations like The Outer Worlds 2

Obsidian Entertainment is currently focused on developing its own original projects, such as Avowed, Grounded 2, and The Outer Worlds 2, rather than pursuing a sequel to Fallout New Vegas. The studio's VP of operations, Marcus Morgan, acknowledged the ongoing fan interest in a New Vegas sequel but emphasized that this year is dedicated to celebrating their own creations. Obsidian aims to explore its creative potential and prioritize depth in storytelling, distancing itself from past franchises.

AppWizard

October 22, 2025

“Our job is to be the studio’s advocate”: Eden Chen on why marketing is the biggest challenge in PC games

Pragma, a Los Angeles-based backend infrastructure platform, acquired FirstLook in February to enhance its discoverability and marketing tools for game studios. At Gamescom, FirstLook showcased seven studios at its inaugural consumer-facing booth, marking a shift from a strictly B2B focus. CEO Eden Chen emphasized the importance of visibility in the gaming industry, stating that Pragma aims to support studios by improving matchmaking with players through a newly launched player network. The booth featured games such as "Gods, Death & Reapers," "The Holdouts," "Cloudheim," "Last Flag," "Starlight Revolver," "The Signal," and "Dead as Disco." FirstLook plans to expand its presence at future events, aiming for a larger booth with more studios. Pragma collaborates with over 100 studios, including major companies like Bungie, Sony, and EA, to address challenges in a saturated gaming market.

AppWizard

October 10, 2025

Hades meets Streets of Rage 4 in this 92% positive new roguelite that’s got a huge discount

Absolum combines elements of Hades and Streets of Rage 4, gaining attention in the gaming community as a standout title in the action game genre. Developed by Guard Crush Games, it features a unique identity compared to other side-scrollers and has received a 92% rating on Steam. Players can choose from various classes, including a dwarf and a humanoid frog wizard, and the game incorporates roguelike mechanics for enhanced replayability. Absolum is currently priced at .49 / £16.37 on Fanatical, with a 22% discount, and the promotional price ends on October 15, 2025, at 11 PM PT.

AppWizard

October 8, 2025

Multi-sport arcade game Sportia announced for consoles, PC

Brazilian developer Hermit Crab Game Studio, in collaboration with Ubisoft, is developing a multi-sport arcade game titled Sportia for various consoles and PC via Steam. The game features a diverse cast of characters with unique skills, allowing players to assemble teams for competition. Key features include multiple sports such as football, rugby, tennis, parkour, and rock climbing; unique athletes with special powers; competitive online leagues; dynamic events; and fast-paced arcade-style gameplay. The release date has not yet been announced.

AppWizard

October 1, 2025

Tencent-backed Ubisoft subsidiary branded Vantage Studios

Ubisoft has announced the name of its Tencent-backed subsidiary as Vantage Studios, previously known as 'Nova'. Vantage Studios will manage key intellectual properties, including Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six. The initiative aims to enhance Ubisoft's creative output and foster stronger connections between developers and players. The structure of Vantage Studios is designed to provide developers with greater autonomy and streamline the incorporation of player feedback. It includes teams from Ubisoft's studios in multiple cities, such as Montréal, Quebec, Sherbrooke, Saguenay, Barcelona, and Sofia, bringing together experienced developers involved in successful titles.